Steve Cummings toasted the highest-profile solo victory of his career – and became only the 14th Briton to win a grand tour stage – after breaking away from the field on stage 13 of the Vuelta a España.

Joaquim Rodríguez remains in the race-leader's red jersey after finishing in the peloton with Alberto Contador, in second place overall, and Team Sky's Chris Froome, who lies third, 51 seconds behind Rodríguez.

But the day's surprise hero was Cummings, a 31-year-old team pursuit Olympic silver medallist in Athens and former world champion on the track, who played the roleof domestique to Mark Cavendish when the Manxman won the 2011 world road race championship in British colours.

Cummings is one of a handful of elite British riders to operate away from Team Sky, moving from the British team to BMC in the close season only to break his pelvis in a crash in the Tour of the Algarve in February.

The Wirral-born rider powered away from the leading group with three miles remaining and could not be caught, with Orica GreenEdge's Cameron Meyer in second and Sky's Juan Antonio Flecha third.

"There were some fast men in the group. For me to win I have to win alone," said Cummings, considered more of a powerhouse rider than an out-and-out sprinter. "I just tried to wait for a good moment. The whole day was hard with the wind but in the end I played it very well. This win is for my team for always supporting me, because it's been a very difficult year."

Saturday's 150km (93-mile) stage features five category climbs including a steep finish at the top of Puerto de Ancares.

That climb is likely to favour Contador, the 2008 champion. "We should be moving into my type of terrain," he said. "I hope to take advantage of the opportunity. I'm in good shape and I've prepared for this."

The climbs continue through to Monday's stage, where Rodríguez expects the special category finish at Cuitnigru to be decisive.

"I need to maintain my lead, that's clear. But if I feel good I'll try to attack and gain some seconds," Rodríguez said. "I need to be wary of Alberto and, if I can leave him trailing behind, I will. It would be nice if he had a bad day."